On January 12th, Campus Recreation hosted their annual Student Leadership Conference for student staff in leadership positions. Over 140 student leaders from Fitness, Group Fitness, Intramural Sports, Sport Clubs, Facility Operations, Marketing, Outdoor Recreation and Rez Guest Services attended the conference. The chilly morning kicked off with breakfast and a group team building session. Sean Wilkinson, Challenge and Course Coordinator, facilitated an icebreaker activity for the leaders from each department to get acquainted.

Students were offered a range of topics during the conference, beginning with a CPR course refresh. This allowed students an opportunity to brush up on their CPR knowledge. Several breakout sessions were created and led by professional staff to provide student leaders with education and personal development on the forefront of the topics they chose.

The resilience and grit seminar, led by Alyssa Gaudreault and Mike Collins, encouraged students to build a hardworking, humble work ethic whilst inspiring them to take chances despite adversity. Another memorable session, led by Sean Wilkinson, Brandon Corley, and Ben Holmes, educated student leaders on the four different leadership styles created by the Harvard First-Year Outdoor Program Leader Handbook. The session touched on each approach, but showed students that they possess qualities from each style; leadership is knowing how and when to use those qualities.

The Student Leadership Conference exceeded the expectations of both professional staff and student staff. After attending the sessions, students felt inspired to become stronger leaders than before. The Student Leadership Conference confirms that Campus Rec’s staff and student leaders within this organization work with intention every day to encompass Campus Recreation’s goals and passions. Learn more about Campus Recreations mission here.